LARAMIE – Wyoming faced some notable wide receivers last fall.
 
The list was headlined by Texas' Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, who are both projected to be first-round picks in the upcoming NFL Draft.
 
Boise State's Eric McAlister, Colorado State's Tory Horton and UNLV's Ricky White were the targets the Cowboys' coaching staff worried about defending the most in the Mountain West Conference.
 
UW cornerbacks coach Benny Boyd said Justin Stevenson did his part behind the scenes to prepare the Pokes for what they faced each Saturday.
 
"Justin Stevenson was a guy that, outside of less than a handful of receivers in our league, and no disrespect to anybody, he gave us the toughest look we got last year," Boyd said. "Maybe outside of McAlister from Boise State and Ricky White from UNLV. The CSU kid is special, but he was injured in our game."
 
Stevenson has elevated himself from scout team standout to impact player this spring. The 6-foot-1, 191-pound redshirt freshman has been consistently making catches through the first nine practices.
 
"I'm really happy with Justin Stevenson right now," head coach Jay Sawvel said. "In the fall, Justin showed promise on the field, a lot of talent on the field, didn't take care of his academics the way that we would have wanted (him) to. That was a big emphasis for me right away. I don't mess around with that part. If it ended now, this guy would be a 3.3 (grade-point average) right now for the semester.
 
"I'm so proud of the guy, I'm happy with him."
 
Stevenson enrolled early at UW in January 2023 after a productive prep career in Katy, Texas. Competing in an FBS program and managing college classes while his peers back home were preparing for prom was an adjustment.
 
"I felt like I could play at the next level, but I was young and immature," Stevenson said of his first year on campus. "I had to get my maturity right. I'm doing more things now to get my body right and get faster and stronger. I'm ready now."
 
Jay Johnson has inherited some dynamic skill players in tight end John Michael Gyllenborg and running back Harrison Waylee. The program's new offensive coordinator needs a handful of receivers to step up after the Pokes lost Wyatt Wieland, Ayir Asante, Ryan Marquez and Gunner Gentry to graduation.
 
"We had some guys last year that really taught me a lot of things that got me to this point now. Shout out to those guys for sure," Stevenson said. "Right now, it's definitely competitive. Everybody can make plays on the field. I just feel like we've got to spread the ball out and let everybody touch the ball."
 
Chris Durr Jr. in another young receiver who has also been turning heads this spring. The early enrolee from Chicago has a chance to get on the field as a true freshman.
 
"Even since last year on scout team, Justin is like crazy athletic. He's got the size and speed," cornerback Ian Bell said when asked about the challenges of covering Stevenson and Durr. "Chris coming in, he's smaller guy but shifty and fast getting out of breaks. He knows how to use his body and his speed to win routes."
 
Alex Brown and Will Pelissier, two seniors who finally went through an offseason together when both were healthy, are leading the group. Devin Boddie Jr., who transferred from Vanderbilt last year, and TK King, who transferred from Texas Tech in January, bring elite track speed to the competition.

Jaylen Sargent, a junior who has been biding his time in the program, appears to be ready for a featured role.
 
"I have the utmost confidence when I enter the field. That came with preparation through practice and stuff like that. I really do think I'm ready to go this year," Sargent said. "My body weight held me back a little bit and having confidence in myself. Not seeing the field as much last year, it can knock down your confidence a little bit, but when you practice and your coaches are encouraging you, as well as your teammates, that helps a lot."
 
Before spring practice began last month, Sawvel said he had a "good talk" with Stevenson to make sure he was also ready to make the most of this opportunity after putting in the work academically and in the winter strength and conditioning program.
 
"I think he has a really high ceiling because he runs very well, he works very hard and he shows up on no lists for me now," Sawvel said. "That's why I love the kid to death."
 
UW fans will have a chance to get another peek at Stevenson and the Pokes during the spring game at 1 p.m. on April 27 at Cheyenne East High School.
 
If you are interested in learning more about NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) or would like to support our student-athletes, please visit 1wyo.org. 1WYO was created out of Wyoming's culture of neighbor helping neighbor. The mission is to promote and strengthen local charitable organizations and develop Wyoming student athletes. 
 
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